In Collins' shoes, Ozzie would also make appeal

ST. PETERSBURG -- If put in a similar situation, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen would do the same thing Terry Collins did.

Collins, the Mets manager, appealed to MLB to overturn an infield single that blocked R.A. Dickey's bid for a no-hitter.

On Wednesday night, Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton was credited with an infield single in the first inning on a chopped ball that Mets third baseman David Wright tried to grab with his bare hand. The official scorer ruled single, and it turned out to be the only hit the Rays had on the night.

Collins' appeal to the league was to call the hit an error on Wright. But after reviewing the play, MLB said Upton's single stood.

Would Guillen seek an overturn to help his pitcher throw a no-hitter, even if it meant an error was charged to his infielder?

"Of course I would," the Marlins manager said. "I try to protect my players. I will do everything in my power to protect my player. Yes, I think he did a good job. Now, it's a league decision, yes or no."

Guillen added that no-hitters are seemingly routine.

The same night as Dickey threw a one-hitter, Matt Cain of the Giants tossed a perfect game. There have been five no-hitters this year, including two perfect games.

And there have been three no-hitters since June 1.

The Marlins were limited to one hit in their 11-0 loss to the Rays on Friday.

The Marlins rotation features three starters who have tossed no-hitters in their careers -- Anibal Sanchez, Carlos Zambrano and Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle has a no-hitter and perfect game to his credit.

Guillen managed both of those games when Buehrle was with the White Sox.

"Buehrle threw a perfect game," Guillen said. "If that was the '60s, when you throw a no-hitter, people were like, 'Wow, look at this guy.' Now you see in the paper every other day somebody throws a no-hitter. That doesn't impress me. Don't get me wrong, no-hitter is a no-hitter. That's one of the best ego and great things that can happen for a pitcher."

Ozzie backs his coaching staff amid struggles

ST. PETERSBURG -- A lack of run production isn't causing panic within the Marlins organization.

Manager Ozzie Guillen completely backs his coaching staff, and the front office isn't considering any changes to the staff.

Miami ranks 14th in the National League in runs scored with 235 and hitting with runners in scoring position (.217).

Hitting coach Eduardo Perez isn't being made a scapegoat.

"That's a bunch of [nonsense]," Guillen said. "It's funny, nobody gave Eduardo any credit when we were good. Now they're going to [dump] on him because we're not hitting. Blame the players. They were good two weeks ago. Same hitting coach."

On June 3, the Marlins were 31-23 and percentage points behind the Nationals for first place in the National League East. Since then, the team has dropped nine of 10, and fell to 32-32 after losing on Friday.

"Hitting coach, pitching coach, managers and third base coach, we're here to take the blame," Guillen said. "We're not here to take the glory. We can live with that.

"I've said this [long] ago, as long as my coaches go out there and work, they're working for me. As long as I know they're working. If they aren't working, we'll make a move. As long as they work, I don't care what anyone thinks, including the boss. I fire my coaches. Nobody else fires my coaches. The only reason they're going to get fired is if I don't see them doing what they're supposed to do."

The staff is putting in the time, and providing the players with the necessary information.

"Obviously, when people struggle, we're going to take the blame," Guillen said. "But I think this guy has been working hard every day. He makes suggestions. But in the meanwhile, when the game starts, he can't perform for them."

Guillen feels the players have been anxious, and sometimes they're not carrying over what they've worked on in batting practice into the games.

"I don't think they're panicking," the manager said. "I think they're trying to overdo stuff. When you do that, it makes things worse. The only reason they fail is they're swinging at a lot of bad pitches."

Hanley back in lineup despite nose injury

ST. PETERSBURG -- With a small fracture in the bridge of his nose, Hanley Ramirez returned to the Marlins' lineup on Saturday night.

Before Friday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field, Ramirez was plunked in the nose by a ball during batting practice.

He was taking flips in the cages, and the ball deflected off a screen and clipped him in the face.

Ramirez was given Friday off, but at the hotel after the game, the third baseman told manager Ozzie Guillen that he could play on Saturday.

There is some swelling in the nose, but Ramirez says he has no concussion symptoms.

"Just a little bit of a headache," Ramirez said. "The only thing they say is if I get hit again, I'm going to need emergency surgery. I'm trying to go out there and play and hope nothing happens. If something happens, it's going to be worse. If something happens, I might be out for the whole season."

Ramirez has to guard against bad hops and being hit in the face area while running the bases.

"He's back, that's good news," Guillen said. "He has a broken nose. We appreciate as a team and as his manager that he will be out there. Not many people with that problem will go out and perform. They might take two or three days to see how they feel. He says he feels better today, and that's why he is playing."

Ramirez is batting .259 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs.

"It's not a huge thing, but a broken bone is a broken bone," Guillen said. "It's going to take a little time to heal. But in the meantime, he's playing."

Hatcher recalled to replace injured Rosario

ST. PETERSBURG -- All season, Chris Hatcher has been one of the most dominant relievers at Triple-A New Orleans.

The right-hander appeared in 23 games, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.27 ERA and four saves.

Hatcher now is in position to make an impact at the big league level.

The Marlins on Saturday placed reliever Sandy Rosario on the 15-day disabled list with a right quad strain. Hatcher was recalled from New Orleans to fill his roster spot.

The move was expected after Rosario exited Friday's game in the eighth inning.

A converted catcher, Hatcher appeared in 11 games with the Marlins last year, tossing 10 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and four walks.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.